Poll talk: Can Lovejoy or North Cobb win it? History says go with Gwinnett, south Georgia instead
Teams from south Georgia and Gwinnett County have won state championships in Georgia’s highest classification each season since 1996.
Roswell of Fulton County shared the 2006 title with Peachtree Ridge of Gwinnett in the famous tie game. Otherwise, it’s been total domination for the schools currently housed in regions 1, 7 and 8.
Those still playing are Camden County and Colquitt County from Region 1/south Georgia and North Gwinnett, Norcross, Mill Creek and Parkview from Gwinnett.
Out of luck? That would be Lovejoy and North Cobb, if history holds. Lovejoy is trying to become the first Clayton County team to win a state title since 1987 (Morrow). North Cobb is trying to become the first Cobb team to win since 1967 (Marietta).
What’s significant about 1996? Brookwood became the first Gwinnett County Schools team to win a state title that year. Rapid population growth over the previous decade continued, and the migration of some of DeKalb County’s best coaches to Gwinnett also helped change the landscape of football in the highest classification.
Another thing happened that perhaps was equally as significant. It was the first season that the GHSA expanded the playoffs to 32 teams. This plays into the hands of the strongest regions and those teams that are battled tested in the regular season. With four qualifiers from each region, one door opens when another closes.
It happened in 1997, when defending champion Brookwood was 13-0 but lost in the quarterfinals to Tift County. Third-place Parkview, which would not have made the playoffs under the previous format, wound up with the championship.
In 1999, it happened again with Lowndes, a No. 3 seed. Region 1 champion Colquitt County lost in the quarters while Lowndes won four straight games away from home before beating Brunswick for the title. Peachtree Ridge’s title in 2006 came as a No. 4 seed.
Since 1996, there have been 12 teams seeded No. 3 or No. 4 that made it to the semifinals. Ten of those 12 came from Gwinnett or South Georgia. This year, three have made the quarterfinals – Colquitt County, Mill Creek and Parkview. That’s South Georgia, Gwinnett and Gwinnett.
It’s hard to bet against them.
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118 comments Add your comment
Dum-Bass
November 25th, 2012
1:59 pm
Don’t ever bet against Propst and Colquitt Co. Most people realize he is an “idiot” but he can coach HS football. Colquitt Co. approached him at the right time and got him from Hoover, AL, probably at a lesser cost than he would have been ordinarily. I say that to say this. I see Hoover is now 13-0 this year and headed for another AL state title. Apparently they have another outstanding coach there. Teams like Valdosta, Lowndes Co, and ESPECIALLY TIFT CO. would be smart to “lure” him away if they want to get back to their “glory days”. TD clubs could push their schools for this and do the same thing CCHS did a few years ago. Looks to me like those 3 schools are in a “rut” right now and need to do something drastic. With the right offer bet that coach now at Hoover in AL would leave there in a heartbeat for places like Valdosta or Tifton. What they have now just ain’t working!
Alan
November 25th, 2012
2:33 pm
Dum-bass, your name fits your thought process. While I can’t speak for Tift, Valdosta always hires men of integrity to lead the ‘Cats, and Propst could never measure up to me. Like Hyder, Baze, and Gillespie in that department. Valdosta’s current problem has been a “talent bleed” to the county school that now has a thousand more students than VHS. I’m convinced Gillespie is the right man for the job. I don’t know that any other coach could have done better than 4-2 in R-1 against the mammoth schools Camden and Lowndes. Propst is scum. He is nowhere near good enough for Valdosta. As important as winning is to VHS, it is NOT the most important thing.
Alan
November 25th, 2012
2:34 pm
Sorry meant “men like Hyder…”
fred
November 25th, 2012
4:13 pm
go northgwinnett what a job bob spire has done at that school
Colquitt Fan
November 25th, 2012
4:26 pm
Alan, you know Propst personally? Or are you just rambling?
Max Sizemore
November 25th, 2012
5:24 pm
I’ve only seen about a quarter of play from games against Norcross and Grayson (last Friday), but yes, Fred, North Gwinnett may be the best coached prep team I’ve ever seen. And I saw my first game over 50 years ago.
Elementary My Dear Watson
November 25th, 2012
6:06 pm
@ Max. Wow 50 years, thats a long time. Thats longer than I have been watching. Guess you did not see the Camden vs N Gwinnett games years ago in the playoffs. I hope I have that match up right. I believe Camden was the visitor that night and put a gigantic beat down on NG. Make no mistake and I think of myself as a scholar of high school football. Camden’s program is the envy of the entire state of GA. Well coached in all aspects, respected by all other premier programs in the state. Herron and his staff second to none as far as a well coached and well oiled machine.
hawg88
November 25th, 2012
6:16 pm
Alan says propst is scum because he feels threatened by his coaching ability u can continue to bring up his past at hoover but the packers r marching on to the next round!
waynester
November 25th, 2012
6:45 pm
Propst has kept his nose(and other parts) clean since coming to CC. All the Rush-bashing sounds like sour grapes from fans on the outside looking in. Valdosta has had the region their way for a long time and, yes, they’ve been blessed with good leadership over the 50 years I’ve been watching–this is NOW, though and Camden is the biggest dog in the fight now and CC is the hungriest. Change is constant–some people just can’t accept the new paradigm….
Jake Mule (Peach County Trojans)
November 25th, 2012
6:52 pm
Go Trojans!!!!!!!!!!!!
Max Sizemore
November 25th, 2012
7:03 pm
@Elementary MDW: I never said anything about North Gwinnett’s talent level, which looked to me to be less than both Norcross and Grayson. No I didn’t see that game, but Camden likely had more talent both then and now. No doubt Camden is well coached. I met Herron in late February at a Nike coaching clinic down here in Orlando. He was joking about how his team had to play both ‘Dosta and Lowndes away this fall.
Colquitt Fan
November 25th, 2012
7:25 pm
He will never be liked by people from the surrounding areas. Fact is, he has been a great person and leader since coming to Colquitt. People’s only gripe is that he rides the refs. Big deal, I’m in favor of riding a red if you can get a call her and there.
Commerce GA
November 25th, 2012
7:27 pm
North Cobb is not man enough to beat Mill Creek. Even at home. They are living above their means so to speak. They will be out played and out coached by MIll Creek this Friday. I guarantee it! b42-24 MC.
Blue and Orange
November 25th, 2012
9:27 pm
@commerce- We wouldnt expect anything less than your comment, we love it this way. Valdosta and Langston said the same thing, problem is, and they found out, you still have to play the game, and one thing is for sure, you will be in awe of the athlete’s you’ll see Friday night, you havent faced a team all year as what you will see in 5 days, dont blink. And btw, its to late to try and get in shape, when your big boys are doubled over in the 3rd quarter and NC is running plays, you’ll understand what Im saying, until then, good day.
PackerBacker
November 25th, 2012
9:29 pm
Go Pack Go!!! Rock On!!!
57Cat
November 25th, 2012
10:37 pm
I agree Russ Propst is Avery good football coach. That’s all I’ll say about that. As for Valdosta needing to entice the Hoover coach to come here. No thanks. We’ve got our coach and he is moving us in the right direction. He has beaten Propst three straight times. That’s all I need to say about that.
North Hall Trojans
November 25th, 2012
11:06 pm
Go Trojans!!!!!!!!!!!!
Raiderfan
November 25th, 2012
11:41 pm
I appreciate all the passion for the schools, but at the end of the day this is really just an overwhelming numbers game in 6A. The rest of the classes are fair fights, but the Gwinnett schools and Camden have a massive numbers advantage over all other school districts that have decided not to maintain monster high schools. Lovejoy and North Cobb COMBINED don’t have the numbers that Mill Creek does. The South Georgia schools have talent and passion and great tradition supporting their programs, but they will not compete at the state level the way they did before as their school age population is shrinking like DeKalb county where all the schools are now 5A or smaller. The current playoff format is fun to talk about, but having schools with 1800 students playing against schools with over 3500 students is not competitive overall. Ask Stephenson or Chattahoochee (state champ 2 years ago) what happens when you get to play against schools your own size. Yes the football in Gwinnett is great and i am sure they have some good coaches, but anyone can field a better team if they have twice as many people to choose from as their competition. Colquitt or Lovejoy will now have to beat 3 schools in a row that are nearly twice as large to win the title. That is not going to happen. All this discussion is really just about who gets overwhelmed by the monsters come playoff time and which monster comes out on top this year.
NGHS 09
November 26th, 2012
2:30 am
@Elementary My Dear Watson…For such a “scholar of high school football”, you really sound like a scholar of being pompous and foolish. Max was talking about THIS YEAR’s team, not 2009’s. It never fails…Camden has the obvious respect from the entire state, but for some reason the fans still feel the need to vaunt Camden’s superiority and impose thier will. Your screen name represents the mental capacity of your thought process I think.
NGHS 09
November 26th, 2012
2:36 am
@ Raiderfan…Go join all of the other cry babies in AA that had to player Buford every year. I hear what you are saying, but the only thing both teams can control is how they play on the field. I can provide tons of examples that prove school population doesn’t win games and should not be an excuse for a team’s loss. Although it is a major factor, you still gotta play with what you have. Instead, focus on all the talent that North Cobb has to offer for MC. That’s the only thing that matters. NG plays MC every year with half the students and we always pumble them. Coaching has a lot more to do with a team’s success than the student population size does, even though it is a factor. Trust me on this one, Gwinnett has WAAYYY more challenges per school with talent than most of their opponents. That won’t ever make sense to you unless you experience it first hand.
NGHS 09
November 26th, 2012
2:42 am
And if you don’t believe me, look at the varsity roster size of NG compared to MC, Norcross, Grayson, Brookwood, Parkview, South Gwinnett, Collins Hill, Camden, Lowndes, Colquitt, etc…and tell me what you see. Do not confuse the varsity roster with what you see on the sidelines during playoff games. The ENTIRE JV and freshman teams dress out and travel with NG in the playoffs….but they don’t play.
SnakeW84
November 26th, 2012
4:00 am
Propst was my former head coach and he’s a winner no question ask. Every school hate getting beat but why do people get furious when Propst does it? The man preach playoffs weekend and week out. He study the brackets weekly basis when region play kicks off. He prepare his teams with the hardest schedules instead of going the easier and more attractive cupcake way. People acting like he have undefeated teams but he don’t, he’s just the better coach in GA high school football.
cat doc
November 26th, 2012
5:22 am
I agree Propst is scum. The truth will come out in Colquitt, just give it time. Once a cheat allways a cheat.
Packer Face Blue
November 26th, 2012
6:33 am
F y’all all who don’t like Prost
We don’t care who he screws as long as
we win; matter of fact we need to contract
ass for him to win !!!
Go Pack Goooooo!!!
High 5
November 26th, 2012
6:49 am
Keep sleeping on Lovejoy!
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
7:12 am
This is nice. I don’t think the coach at any of the other schools feel the way most on here do.
@ Todd == You will become a believer if Lovejoy win’s state, won’t you ? Or will you rank us # 2, like last years # 3 final ranking ? Don’t matter. The Cat’s are for real and come to play every friday night. They have left many of the All-State players at home watching. North Gwinnett will be a test, just as the rest have been. Lovejoy just needs to do what they do. If this is accomplished, they will win come friday. It’s getting closer to the Dome date of December 14th, which is everyone’s goal but we all know there can only be two. I see shock and awe if one of those two is Lovejoy Does your out of luck comment mean you are picking against them ?.
CAMDEN1981
November 26th, 2012
7:51 am
I know we have some crazy fans that eat and sleep Camden. But let me say this Camden wasn’t given what they have. We like everyone on here had our share of ups and downs, having a different coach every three years. It was really bad around here. With this coach things just came together. I hope the Camden fans on here remember where we came from. Yes defend Camden but don’t put down other programs. Camden has the upmost respect for any team we face. We treat the visitors with great hospitality ( food, coffee, etc ), a great view and join us tailgating. Our loyalty is with our R1 Brothers. We just love football on Friday nights.
GATORCAT
November 26th, 2012
8:13 am
Well said CAMDEN1981.
CAMDEN1982
November 26th, 2012
8:20 am
I second that CAMDEN1981 – Respect is essential and that will help to keep us on top. GO WILDCATS!
BrunoBars
November 26th, 2012
8:25 am
@Blue and Orange. Just let Commerce and others keep sleeping on Warrior Nation. We can run, throw and play defense. Sorry people but history doesn’t play defense. TQ, Shade and the crew will be rolling to the Dome.
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
8:27 am
The student population for the remaining schools. Mill Creek 3005
Camden 2835
Norcross 2736
Park View 2634
N. Gwinnett 2555
N. Cobb 2430
Colquit 2358
Lovejoy 1837
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
8:29 am
Collins Hill is the largest school in Georgia with 3581.
2fast4u
November 26th, 2012
8:40 am
@sportsunt “You will become a believer if Lovejoy win’s state, won’t you ?”
I think thats what it will take. Lovejoy is currently 2-1 against teams with winning records. Beat NG this weekend and MAYBE you get some credit.
And whats the point about the student population. Lovejoy had 5A numbers in 4A last year. Are you saying they have an advantage over you much like you did last year?
DAWG
November 26th, 2012
8:44 am
The Northside Eagles of Warner Robins GA will face Tucker this friday in a rematch from last year. Guarantees to be a great game. Go Eagles!!!
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
8:57 am
Has nothing at all to do with Lovejoy. Previous posters were talking numbers and I just thought I would look up the remaining teams so the true comparison can be made without a bunch of speculation. I happen to think it is an advantage but only for the fact that you have more to choose from. I don;t think it makes a difference on the field. That is the coach in me talking. If I were to look at it and let it be an influence on my conclusion, yes I would think they have the advantage. We are not the only ones in this position. Tift is much smaller in comparison to Colquit. Same region, very different numbers. Tift has only 1485 to Colquits 2358. Same in our region with Lovejoy at 1837 and Druid Hills, the smallest 6A school with only 1270.
Smug
November 26th, 2012
9:31 am
Dum-Bass is right, Propst is an idiot.
Colquitt Fan
November 26th, 2012
9:55 am
Dumbass, smug, 57cat, and cat doc, will you ever get over being such little bi*ches? It’s kinda to the point of embarrassing for you clowns. What exactly is gonna come out cat doc? You heard a rumor on a blog or something? Get real. Prolly just mad b your at home during the playoffs
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
9:55 am
How fast are you, 2fast4u ? Can you keep up with the 35-3 Lovejoy has accumulated since 09′ with a title appearance, 3 Region Titles, 2 undefeated regular seasons, lead the state in D 2 years in a row in 2 different classes, the largest and the next level below, respectively ?
Colquitt Fan
November 26th, 2012
10:26 am
Sportsnut, how many teams have you played with winning records? Serious question bc I don’t know. Do you think your wins would be as impressive if you played a schedule like colquitts?
!!!!!
November 26th, 2012
10:40 am
we all need to email css and try to get this game on the air
NCHS fan
November 26th, 2012
10:44 am
From. Watching the games through out the season. North Cobb wins with their defense. Their defense sets up great field position. The reason their defense is so good is their speed. You can’t pass on North Cobb cuz receivers can’t get seperation and you can’t run for big yards because they catch you. North Cobb overwhelms teams with speed on defense. Valdosta is a tough hard running football team but when they got down and had to pass they had no chance. The amount of speed north cobb puts on the field is unbelievable. I’m not trash talking or anything but I have yet to see a team that can outrun N. Cobb’s D except Mceachern with two former North Cobb players.
57Cat
November 26th, 2012
10:54 am
Colquitt fan – You Colquitt fans are so defensive you don’t recognize a compliment when you see it. Go back and read my post. I said your coach is a very good football coach. I said we like our coach. I said our coach has beaten your coach three straight years. What is it about those statements that offends you?
Packer99
November 26th, 2012
11:12 am
Alright nice little props in the AJC. The 99 Packers were the best team in the State that year, we had a lot of injurys down the stretch that killed us. We beat a Lowndes team with two NFL players that year 21-2. But we will always be Champs. Go Pack peel that orange!!!
Jammer
November 26th, 2012
11:33 am
@Colquitt Fan
We beat Lovejoy early in the season in a game that very easily could have gone either way (as per my question to Sportsnut about how LJ would respond with there backs against the wall now), as they lost discipline in the final minutes of the game against us, IMO.
Now would there wins be more impressive if they had played Colquitts schedule, YES, anyone that played that schedule and was undefeated would be at the top of the list, 4 of the teams on Colquitts schedule are still in the Playoffs. LJ has no control over the records of the other teams in there region
Colquitt Fan
November 26th, 2012
11:42 am
57, I’ve seen plenty on your comments before. I like valdostas coach as well. Keep in mind that wasn’t a Colquitt fan making those comments about a coaching change.
I’m just pointing out that Lovejoy should have those stats with the schedule they played. They are a very good team and has a chance to make a splash though. We will see though
Dum-Bass
November 26th, 2012
11:45 am
***57Cat**** just to refresh your memory the score was what 38-36 Dosta vs the Packers? 3 more minutes longer in that game and that would have been a loss for the Cats. Would have been tied anyway except for a stupid two point conversion call. The way I saw it that is when the Packers woke up and went on a roll the rest of the year. (BTW I’m objective and impartial, don’t have a dog in the fight right now, left GA many years ago).
Dum-Bass
November 26th, 2012
11:56 am
BTW, ***Alan**** your concentration level failed you when reading my earlier post. Nowhere was I promoting Propst for Valdosta or even Lowndes. Read it again and you will see I was referring only to the CURRENT Hoover coach(sorry, don’t know his name) who is 13-0 and going for another state title. They have not missed a beat since Propst left there. From the outside looking in I see Valdosta and Lowndes a couple of notches below where they used to be, and Tift Co. about 5 notches below. The trend is in the wrong direction and they would be smart to lure a coach away like the current one at Hoover, AL.
57Cat
November 26th, 2012
11:58 am
Colquitt Fan – Please point out to me in any of my comments where I have said anything negative about Coach Propst’s coaching. I have said I did not like his antics on the sideline. I don’t like Steve Spurrier’s or Bill Cowher’s antics on the sideline either, but like Coach Propst, those men can coach football. Propst gets his kids to play hard for him and his record speaks for itself. I have also said I really like watching Colquitt play; they are a fun bunch to watch play football. I know nothing about Propst’s personal life, only what I read. I’ve read Colquitt fans’ comments about how he conducts himself off the field, and I accept that.
Dum Bass – Woulda/shoulda/coulda. A loss is a loss. Three in a row, as a matter of fact.
pbt dawg fan
November 26th, 2012
12:15 pm
It not about the student populations it about the number of hard working football players you have on your team, I live close to lovejoy and i follow the tream closely. all the guys own their team contribute they have speed, size, and quickness especailly own defense. if you recall lovejoy went to colquitt earlier this year and only lost 14-7 in. NG beat colquitt in the Georgia Dome on a Last second feild goal. Lovejoy came beat NG in twelve Oaks. If you look at the history Gwinnett County Schools struggle outside of their own Staduim. Also Lovejoy may have the best coaches that nobody knows about.
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
12:16 pm
It really does not matter how many of the teams Lovejoy beat has a winning record. They have won them. This is just as I said, a continuation of last year and the doubt. No matter how strong or weak your region or non-region schedule is, it is up to you to win them, not just region games. This is why Lovejoy has now played 6 playoff games at home and 1 in the Dome over the past two years. We want to win them all. In terms of the wins being impressive, this season is all that and more. Lovejoy has stepped up a class and has led the state in those area’s that they led the state in in 4A. At the start of the season, I made this comment ” It is not a matter of wheather Lovejoy is ready for 6A but wheather 6A is ready for them”. I still stand behind that. If Lovejoy played Colquit’s schedule, they would fare no worse than Colquit did. Remember that the flags flew in Moultrie with 2 TD’s called back plus 2 missed field goals. Not to mention the desparity in total yardage, 320-210. True we lost but the way we lost only reinforces what we at Lovejoy think about our team. That was the second game of the year for us and Colquit’s 3rd. We got better and have not been challenged since. Colquit went on to lose a couple more and are now on a roll. We have not come off ours from that night on. We know who we are. With the schedule They played is no reason to think they are not ready for this. May I point out Lowndes schedule ? Or maybe Camdens ? We all played some inferior teams and did what needed to be done. Let’s stop looking for and making excuses. You win, you win. You lose, you lose.
coACHJ
November 26th, 2012
12:22 pm
I am happy that every one is sleeping on lovejoy high school. Check the stats and see who is the best team, and look at what we did against other top tier teams….LHS #StateChampions
BullDawgRick
November 26th, 2012
12:44 pm
Just flip a coin – Gwinnett Co is the SEC of Ga HS football (& sports in general)
Camden03
November 26th, 2012
12:50 pm
@CAMDEN1981 great post but it’s a shame that most posters won’t pay attention to it. At this point they think all Camden posters are full of themselves….and some are
NORCROSS BLUE!
November 26th, 2012
1:02 pm
It;s a good week Norcross. Stay focus!!! GO NORCROSS
Colquitt Fan
November 26th, 2012
1:05 pm
I don’t think any one is sleeping on Lovejoy, they are a really good team. I was just saying that you may not have a top offense and defense on the state stat wise if you had played a tough schedule. They are very good though.
57, props to you for giving credit where credit is due. Every one knows he can coach, but people bash him for things that happened many years ago, some true and some not true. But people call him scum, a cheater, says he mocks the game bc he gets on a ref here and there. It’s just plain silly at this point
ole ram
November 26th, 2012
1:16 pm
all the way Camden. I would like to see Grayson/Camden playoff; however to many distractions with #1 and friends,glad he is headed to Ole Miss for sure bank on it. how about lets swap head coaches would like to see what a teaching players coach could do with the undefeated feeder teams coming into the system next two years.
WarriorBlue
November 26th, 2012
1:24 pm
@coACHJ– Just curious, How has Lovejoy done against other top tier programs?
packer backer
November 26th, 2012
1:37 pm
alright all bull aside for all yall who hate this whole propst and packer combination thats taken place in south georgia why dont yall put ya team on our sched we always been good this program became even greater when we got the rite coaching whats first shall be last and whats last shall be first so stop crying every time we get a win show some respect for this team an what we have built down in moultrie if not then at least try beating us with out excuses or those yellow bombs yall throw all the time called flags an for all yall VHS fans find yall an army base an start recruiting like yall did in the 80’s an 90’s i know yall remember dat dont you at least we winnig with good coaching an not cheating like yall did for all those titles now even atlanta teams slapp yall roun cause yall weak the cats couldnt blowout the brooks county team if im correct the yall got beat down yall dont even deserve to be in the same league with us go back down to 5A
packer backer
November 26th, 2012
1:49 pm
we love the packers an we love our coach bottom line w could care less what the compitition say its ther job to hate an im here to tell you keep hating we need all the love you can give us good and bad we want one thing an if we got to make atlanta the hawg pen to get it so be it cause our goal is to play 15 games an win the last one
Camden74
November 26th, 2012
3:37 pm
When has stats ever won a game? The only stat that really counts is the final score! Release the CATS!
WILDHAWG2012
November 26th, 2012
3:51 pm
OK to all u Lovejoy and Norcross fans plse forget about the games we played against u guys because your teams were 100% and we were about 70% at best with the injuries we had at the begining of the year.Yet u guys couldn’t blow us out so plse get off that.Honestly both u guys might need some help or luck to get to the next round cause North Gwinnett and Camden will bring it.So if u want to prove something here is your chance.
Mighty Mighty Wildcats
November 26th, 2012
4:01 pm
Apparantly Alan, from yesterday, didnt play @ Valdosta when I did. Bazemore was notoriously crooked sending ten men onto the field, then keeping a reciever next to him and sending him down the sideline once the ball was hiked. And Hyder got single moms from neighboring counties “jobs” and good deals on a rental property so their sons could play ball for the Cats. (dont test me on that one, I got names.) No one is clean Alan….dont fool yourself. But you are right about the bleed. Valwood is where most law-abiding tax paying folk send their kids now if they live in the city. Lowndes county gets the rest of the talent.
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
4:09 pm
@ Wildhawg2012 == Lovejoy was not at full strength when they played Colquit.
@ 74 == Stats win the game everytime they favor the victor.
@ Colquit Fan == Lovejoy leads the state in scoring. Is that enough offense for you.? @ Warrior Blue == Lovejoy has only played, in my opinion, 3 teams in 6A that are what could be considered top flight. Colquit, Alpharetta and Marietta. This is what happened last season. We played a soft region but when the season was over, Lovejoy had wins against six of the top 10 in the final poll. When will you guy’s learn region strength means nothing.
Jefferson
November 26th, 2012
4:27 pm
Gwinnett Co is an anthill, sprall and people.
BulldogsStillBite
November 26th, 2012
4:50 pm
I don’t think Coach Sphire is taking Lovejoy for granted; I think he has gotten more out of this team than more talented ones in the past. That being said, if NG plays like they did against Grayson, they WILL be at home for the semi-finals. I’ve watched every team left in the game play at least one game except North Cobb. Cobb county teams do not impress me, just like Forsythe teams. Sure, they have made progress but Walton was the flagship last year – they got dismantled when all the marbles were on the table. Everybody thinks their team has what it takes to win it all, but only a few have been consistently battle tested. If Lovejoy puts up 30, they MIGHT win. But NG has given up 30 only once this season and that was early against Norcross. I don’t like the Blue Devils (or any devil, for that matter) but they have talent and can make plays on both sides of the ball. I know Lovejoy has a talented group of athletes, but are they a cohesive team. This NG team reminds me a little of 2009 Camden; they fight through adversity and have no quit. We all had as chance to watch a more talented set of athletes self destruct on the other side of the field from us on Friday. What will Lovejoy do if they have to play from behind? Will they fight or fold? The answer will come on Friday….
BulldogsStillBite
November 26th, 2012
5:03 pm
I am intrigued by Norcross – Camden; I think that will be a great game; just wish it would be streamed! I am not a fan of Colquitt but I respect them greatly; they keep finding ways to win. As for me, I hope to never come across as a pompous butt-wipe – unlike some who post here. I’ll say this to Lovejoy fans – your team is good, but I think we are BETTER. Of course I will not take one snap, make one hit or force anything, but I will support the red and black as far their talent takes them. IF Lovejoy wins, I will be one of the first to congratulate them; IF not, let me be one of the first in line (online) to congratulate them on a good season. There are no excuses at this level; everyone is good enough to beat anyone (except maybe North Cobb, lol). Your team earns their respect from here on out BY WINNING….
Camden74
November 26th, 2012
5:13 pm
sportsnut……If you believe the team with the best stats “EVERYTIME” favors the victor, then you really are a sportsNUT! Oh, one more thing, I have this Ocean Front Property in Kansas that I can really give you a great deal on, really! Release the CATS!
OMacG
November 26th, 2012
5:39 pm
I don’t get the whole “hire the coach from Hoover” push a couple have made on here. I think Propst would likely win wherever he coached, but it’s really hard to tell how good the current Hoover coach is…there were only two good teams in Alabama’s highest class over the past decade and that apparently changed as soon as the previous Prattville coach left. Hoover or Prattville won every Alabama 6A title except one in the past 10 years and one of those two teams played in ALL of them. In 5 of those 10 seasons, they played one another for the title.
Now there’s Hoover and no one left to compete with them in the whole dang state.
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
6:09 pm
@ 74 == Victor meams winner. Winner has more points than the loser. That stat is a constant. The question was “When has stats ever won a game “. Answer, when the statistical facts are responsible for the outcome of the game and they, the stats are in your favor. Thats when stats win a game. I hold you scoreless, that is a stat.
NORCROSS BLUE!
November 26th, 2012
6:16 pm
Camden vs Norcross Needs to be streamed!!!!!! Probably the biggest game of the whole year!!!!!!
Columbia Blue
November 26th, 2012
6:32 pm
I am a Camden fan and I personally knew Nick Hyder. Nick Hyder was a man of great character. He had his priorities in order.
GOD
Family
Valdosta Wildcats
What do you recon PROSPT will say when he kneels at the feet of Jesus. Nick is in Heaven for ETERNITY–Enough said—-
Long Ship
November 26th, 2012
6:51 pm
Gillespie has 2 playoff wins in 3 years. He’s over his head in the big leagues and looking for a way out right now. It’s been a great ride for Valdosta but the bus broke down about 15 years ago. It’s sad to see the old Cat fans on here struggling to grasp anything like a fish out of water gasping for air.
It’s a new day and a new culture on N Forrest St. and the old guard won’t ever be back.
Camden1902
November 26th, 2012
6:57 pm
I think Josh Niblett is the current Hoover, AL coach.
Camden74
November 26th, 2012
7:01 pm
sportsnut……You have shown time and time again that you have comprehension issues. I said as clear as day that the only stat that really counted was the final score. Come on man! Read and understand the post before you respond……Roll on Camden County Wildcats, Roll on!
Camden74
November 26th, 2012
7:10 pm
I’ve been told that Coach Hyder loved watching the Ralph J. Bunche Hornets whenever they came to the Valdosta area to play Pinevale, Lowndes Training or Westside. He loved the way they ran the Wing-T……..
Highschoolfootballfan
November 26th, 2012
7:23 pm
Sportsnut, since you posted the school numbers, go a step further and break them down by male and female. I would say that each school population would be 50/50. Also these are 9-12 grade totals. Look at the senior class numbers, jr, soph and freshman numbers. Out of that number each school has around 100-140 players on their rosters.
Suwanee 0wns
November 26th, 2012
7:36 pm
All the trash talk on here is funny, but mostly a waste of time. Blah, blah, blah, My Team, … blah, blah, blah.
The intensity of hatred against Coach Propst is amazing. But there can be little doubt he is a great coach, no matter how he does it. Any one of the remaining teams could win it all – they are all good. In some cases it will be a match up of talent. In some cases it will be a matchup of game strategy. In some cases, penalties may matter. In some cases it will be coaching experience and play calling. And in some cases it will be plain luck with an unlikely field goal, a dropped punt, or a receiver that gets open.
Having said that, Colquitt got about the worst opponent they could draw from the other 7 teams for this round. While Propst will pull every rabbit he can find from his coaching hat, Cecil Flowe has seen them all before. He is just as experienced, wiley, and treacherous as Propst.
Parkview’s style of play will be very similar to the teams that beat Colquitt – Lowndes and Valdosta; strong defense and punishing running attack. Except that I think Parkview has more size and speed than either of the Region 1 teams that beat Colquitt. Colquitt’s heroic DBs are not going to make a difference in this game.
Between talent on the field, game plan, and coaching expertise, Colquitt is going to have their hands full with Parkview. Parkview certainly did not expect a home game in these playoffs, but they will be happy to take advantage of it and put an end to the season of the road warriors from Moultrie. This could be the most interesting game in Friday’s playoff round.
squirrell
November 26th, 2012
8:35 pm
Packers played the toughest schedule in AAAAAA and should have been undefeated. The three games they lost, they played horrible and still almost won each one of them. Our offense has finally starting to roll w/ Propst’s complicated run/pass/spread and Cole is on fire!
No doubt, the toughest team Pack played this year and last was Camden. It’ll be a toss-up if we face the Cats again. They are definatly the best team in the state and Norcross will find-out this Friday!
Now, when it comes to Parkview, we’ll be fine if we play the way we have the last few weeks.
And, Norcross needs to get over their little scrimmage win over the Pack. Packers played many different players to get ready for the opening game. Plus we had 3-4 starters out with injuries. If we play again, you’ll see a whole different team!
High School Football is fun to keep-up w/ but it’s still “just” kids play’en football!
Anything can happen every Friday Night! Anybody can win anytime!
NG17
November 26th, 2012
9:02 pm
Love Joy will be out coached by NG Bob And MO show.
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
9:03 pm
@ HSFF == Lovejoy does not have those type numbers. Lovejoy will not trot out 100 players. 60-65 maybe. Still, we have to play the games. Numbers in terms of a collective does not in any way decide how well you. What you have within that number is of far greater importance and value.
WILDHAWG2012
November 26th, 2012
9:07 pm
@Suwanee Owns=I understand your statement and that could be true.But i think it’s Flowe who is loosing the most sleep cause i could be wrong but when i saw parkwiew last week their pass rush was not impressive enough for me to be worried.Thier defense is solid i guess but its not Camden,North Gwinnett,or Lovejoy so i see no reason to be scared of that.Flowe has been around a while and will have his team ready but the only thing that worries me at the jungle are the refs if the game is close in the 4th Quarter and ourselves with the turnover problem but we shall see
Packers Love the Playoffs
November 26th, 2012
9:07 pm
I feel pretty good about this Packer team. We have a good enough defense that, when our offense isn’t clicking, we can still remain competitive. Parkview definitely has the ability to beat us but not if we play like we have the past few weeks. These little piggies go “wee” “wee” “wee” all the way to the DOME !!!! GO PACK!!!!
NG17
November 26th, 2012
9:32 pm
Norcross vs Camden will air on CSS Friday
North Gwinnett vs Lovejoy will air on GPB channel 8 Friday.
57Cat
November 26th, 2012
9:56 pm
What is the link that lists the games that will be streamed?
Decatur joe
November 26th, 2012
10:02 pm
That 1999 lowndes team got a gift from the refs.
Decatur joe
November 26th, 2012
10:05 pm
Anyone who was at that SWD-Lowndes in 1999 know that the refs screwed SWD hard!
Tommydawg22
November 26th, 2012
10:30 pm
Im just glad the camden norcross game is being televised..and not on gpb..those turds are biased when there is an atlanta team playing
Abu Dhabi
November 27th, 2012
6:43 am
Good morning. Good morning. In less than than 36 hours, the unstoppable North Cobb Offense will join the equally dynamic Warrior Defense, and together will be launching the largest football battle in the history of the Warrior Nation. Warrior Nation… that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can’t be consumed by which teams were championed in the past, what Gwinnett teams have do
ne, what happened in a different era… a different time. Our focus is Friday Night. We WILL be united in our common interest. Perhaps it’s fate that it is the season of Thanksgiving and gratitude…of blessings and cheer. Of renewal and blessed assurance. At 7:30 Friday night, we are fighting for something that has never been done before. It’s a freedom. The freedom to sit in the Dome. Eat in the Dome. PLAY football in the Dome. A freedom to play with the best of the best. Freedom, not just from tyranny, oppression, or persecution from haters, but from annihilation of mediocrity. We are champions. We’re fighting for our right to live, to exist�and should we win the day, the 30th of November will no longer be known as any ordinary day, but as the day when the world declared in one voice, ‘We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on, we’re going to survive.’ Friday night WE WILL WIN!
sportsnut
November 27th, 2012
9:22 am
HELL YEAH ! Where do I sign ?
AVikingFan
November 27th, 2012
10:15 am
My Lowndes team obviously is “out of the chase”, but I’m still watching from the far bleachers. Good luck to region 1-AAAAAA teams, Colquitt and Camden, this Friday.
One thing everyone should consider as a monumental accomplishment, the number of games and the places where Colquitt has won on the road, in the last 5 years! Amazing! I doubt any team has a record to compare with that.
Is this North Gwinnett or Norcross’s year? They have both “been on the brink” for some time now.
I think we can all agree good football is being played in the metro AND in south Ga now!
Merry Christmas to my friends, grayram, Fred, Sportsfan31313, Reeze, ENR, YO, VikingDad, Viking68, Viking96, 57Cat, OMacG, and of course to Todd, Chip, and M. Carvell, and to all others who don’t mind being friends with a Viking!
sportsnut
November 27th, 2012
10:23 am
Sorry about the language but that got me fired up !
Abu Dhabi
November 27th, 2012
11:26 am
Sportsnut, you like that, huh? I love it!! On any given Friday night, things change. Just ask the teams who aren’t at practice this week. North Cobb…the quiet storm.
VHS Fan
November 27th, 2012
12:28 pm
I often read these blogs but never post. I t truly amazes me to see people post their vast knowledge about Valdosta Football, and they are not from Valdosta or anywhere close. All of this talk about
Gillespie looking for a way out is laughable at best. I am very close to the program and talk to
Coach G on a regular basis. He is very happy in V-Town. He has done wonders for our program. Before he took over, our middle school programs were non-existent. Just 4 short years ago, we had only 13 players on the 6th grade team. This season, we had 80. He has brought life back in to a program that was dying on the vine. The fans are coming back. Season ticket sales are up. The kids at Dosta want to play for this man, and the numbers show that. Granted, we did go down in the first round in the last 2 years, but that will change in the future. Coach G stated that it would take 5-6 years to rebuild this program, and he is well on the way. So for all you folks that think we are dead…think again. And the fact, that we are only 3-5 years away from building a new high school that will surpass 80 million, with facilities 2nd to none will be a big plus in bringing in more students, who now may choose Valwood or Lowndes. So go ahead and fire away….I know that you are chomping at the bit…Go Cats !!!
sportsnut
November 27th, 2012
12:38 pm
@ Abu Dhabi == Yes I did. Kinda charged my battery. I am a firm believer in the theory. That is why I never claim victory until it is assured. The quiet storm thing I have to take issue with. You see, I have laid claim to the “quiet” part. I told many much earlier that with me and Lovejoy it was “Quiet Confidence”. They said I wasn’t quiet on here. I guess it is O.K. for you to use, I won’t sue. Good luck to you guy’s this week and maybe, just maybe, we will meet to see who goes on. We both have work to do first……….. P.S., Are they going to be able to stop that kid, Jecory Lewis ? He took Brookwood to the house. He scored 18 and Brookwood had 21. Again, good luck.
Abu Dhabi
November 27th, 2012
1:05 pm
What do I think? That’s easy. I think that these boys (ALL of them) are amazing athletes and I am so in awe of them. High School Football is hard work. They have the skills and heart to compete at this level and have incredible futures waiting for them….whatever that might be. I too, like to wait until the fat lady sings and she will be bellowing from Emory Sewell Stadium, Kennesaw, Georgia (North Cobb HS) Friday Night. Don’t get lost on Saturday.
grayram
November 27th, 2012
1:32 pm
Having been to Camden for a game as a visitor i can 2nd everything the Camden Fan posted earlier.
It is a great place to play and the people are fantastic.
Having faced him the last two seasons i can attest to Probst being a very good coach.
Ole Ram…You have been singing the same silly song for years now. Its obvious you have a grudge against Conn, i’m guessing you or maybe your kid didn’t get the playing time you wanted so you say the guy can’t coach. A bad coach does not achieve the things Conn has achieved.
57Cat
November 27th, 2012
1:43 pm
Viking Fan – Thanks for the well wishes for Christmas, and right back at you. It’s great to be a fan of high school football in Valdosta, Lowndes County, Region 1 in 6A, and the great state of Georgia. By the way, if you were thinking of taking in the Valwood game this Friday, better get your ticket today. I understand they will be sold out and will not sell any at the gate. And some of my best friends are Vikings.
VHS Fan – You said exactly what I attempted to post yesterday in response to the bonehead that said Coach Gillespie was looking for a way out. Somehow neither of my attempts posted; something ate ‘en up. Anyway, I am we’ll pleased with the progress Coach has made. It may take a couple of years, but I am confident folks have not heard the last of the Valdosta Wildcats. GO CATS!!!
Tellus Moore...
November 27th, 2012
4:42 pm
Pretty easy for Gwinnett to win when 25% of playoff qualifying teams come from that county every year. Quite honestly they should have more titles.
NGHS 09
November 27th, 2012
5:12 pm
Lovejoy’s linebackers and safeties can flat out play some freakin football. How on Earth do they not have SEC recruiters in a frenzy? Sportsnut is right when he says 2 seconds LOL
NGHS 09
November 27th, 2012
5:16 pm
Best believe that Grayson players, coaches, and fans will be watching Parkview play Colquitt.
NGHS 09
November 27th, 2012
5:21 pm
@ AVikingFan…
“Is this North Gwinnett or Norcross’s year? They have both “been on the brink” for some time now.”
Norcross hasn’t ever been on the brink of anything LOL. HOWEVER, this year’s squad is the culmination of wasted years of talent. These Blue Devils are nothing like the normal Norcross Blue Devils…and they just keep getting faster and better LOL Win or lose I think Camden Fans will be amazed at what Norcross has to offer.
NGHS 09
November 27th, 2012
5:24 pm
@ grayram…I’ll second that about Conn…but did you hear about the ploy that him and his coaching staff created to motivate the players before the NG game? Now that is low and childish.
Dr. Peppa
November 27th, 2012
6:02 pm
North Cobb aint prove nothin yet. Mill Creek bout to run them out of their own stadium. Valdosta and Hughes were both weak teams. North Cobb play in a weak region. They bout to get a taste of real football. I will be there front and center to see it too. Mill Creek 42 – North Cobb 17
grayram
November 27th, 2012
6:21 pm
NGHS09
I’m not sure what you are talking about in regards to a ploy?
As for Norcross, i’m not sure what round they lost in but they had some really good teams around
2006,2007. They had some really good wide receivers.
New Kids on the Block
November 27th, 2012
6:29 pm
@NCHS – trust me your db’s can be beat and are not that fast. In the Langston Hughes game, there was a 5-10 minute stretch where Langston Hughes actually played the style of offense that they had been playing all year. They went 62 yards in 3 plays (all pass), and 73 yards in 4 plays (all pass). In each drive their receivers ran right past your db’s. After they tied the score, Langston Hughes went back to a 3 yards and a cloud of dust offense which actually played into your hands. Had they stayed with what was working, the outcome might have been a whole lot different. Again, congratulations for winning the game and I wish you nothing but the best on Friday night.
NORCROSS BLUE!
November 27th, 2012
7:16 pm
_________ _____ __
__ ____/_____ ___ | / /______________________________________________
_ / __ _ __ \ __ |/ /_ __ \_ ___/ ___/_ ___/ __ \_ ___/_ ___/
/ /_/ / / /_/ / _ /| / / /_/ / / / /__ _ / / /_/ /(__ )_(__ )
\____/ \____/ /_/ |_/ \____//_/ \___/ /_/ \____//____/ /____/
sportsnut
November 27th, 2012
10:08 pm
@ NGHS 09 == This is true. This is a team built around the principle of applying pressure on every down. Every down is 4th and inches. That ball is somewhere and they go find it. Our program is the step child of Metro Atlanta and get’s little recognition in football. Clayton County is a Basketball hotbed moreso than football. With that said, North will present a challenge as does every opponent that takes the field. I wish them well.
TItletown USA
November 28th, 2012
6:50 am
Raiderfan had it right at the beginning of this post…numbers do matter.
TItletown USA
November 28th, 2012
8:20 am
So far, it seems that N Cobb has the glass slippers on this year.
sportsnut
November 28th, 2012
9:08 am
Scoring will be paramount this friday. Norcross, who travels to unfriendly territory, has been outscored by it’s opponent in this game by only 29 points, 491-462. On the other hand, Camden has only allowed 96 points on the season, including the playoffs and has a 45 point difference, 141-96.
Colquit has scored 335 on the year and given up 216.
Parkview sits at 245-173 Colquit scores more but also gives up more.
North Gwinnett chimes in at 441-207
Lovejoy is at 527-88 This is best in both categories.
North Cobb has 490-191
Mill Creek is at 468-238 Offensively pretty even, not so on D.
Many people don’t think stats matter but look at what each school has done and decide for yourself if these simple numbers matter to you and your team.
phillip
November 28th, 2012
9:22 am
Max, I agree the North Gwinnett coach is the best. I would have loved to play for him.
coACHJ
November 28th, 2012
10:53 am
North Gwinnett may have a good coach but he is not playing and coach hughes a Lovejoy is legendary as well!!! North Gwinnett better focus on getting the ball off in 1.2 seconds (Bull Jones Voice). All i have to say north Gwinnett, welcome to clayco!!!!!
WildcatManiac
November 28th, 2012
4:14 pm
IMHO I think that the winner between Camden and Norcross will be the eventual 6A champ. I will also say that I looked at all of the numbers and Camden needs to do three things friday to win. Quick hit the offense (sometimess it looks like two completely different teams on the field within the same game), tackle Kamara, and pressure the QB. Kamara and the QB make up about 75-80% of the offense and even though they have not been passing a lot lately, they seem to get a couple of BIG plays in the pass game. And Kamara runs the ball 20-25 times a game (especially in the playoffs). There have been some articles talking about how he is better than JJ Green but you have to take into account that Camden does not have just JJ Green running the ball. He only touches it 5-10 times a game. Camden has 5-7 other legit running backs with 3 of them just as fast as JJ that touch the ball fairly equally. We do pass more and more but you need to dance with the girl you brought so I see the same heavy running offense out of Camden. I do not know if the Norcross D will be able to figure out the shell game of running plays that Camden does so well. All in all I have to pull for my Cats. But I can clearly see that Norcross is very good as well. The only real advantage I can pick on is that Camden is a little more balanced across the board with which players contribute whereas Norcross is a little more predictable with who we need to assign to which linebacker.
cat
November 28th, 2012
9:49 pm
sportsnut-those numbers mean nothing. if you play a weak non region schedule then your numbers should be better. but if you play a tough region schedule and your region is not filled with a bunch of panzy teams then it will be close so i take nothing from your research but if it makes you feel better about lovejoy then good for you.
sportsnut
November 29th, 2012
9:07 am
@ Cat == I invite you to come watch for yourself. If scoring and points allowed mean nothing to you, then you have no understanding of competition. The high score wins. No matter who you play, that is the objective. Speaking of feeling good, I do. Lovejoy is in the Elite Eight for the second year in a row and now in the highest class. Pretty much all things Lovejoy makes me feel better. Knowing what this team is made of makes me feel very good about them.
sportsnut
November 29th, 2012
10:36 am
@ Cat == Our non-region schedule was Colquit, Mundy’s Mill, Alpharetta and East Coweta. Consider Lowndes schedule. They played two teams from Lovejoy’s region and two teams from a lower class in Windsor Forest and Hardaway coupled with Tift and Brunswick, the bottom of their region and you have a soft schedule that rivals Lovejoy’s. The point is, regardless of who is on your schedule, you must play. The object is to win. Lovejoy continues to do so.
cinhin
November 29th, 2012
11:25 am
@57Cat…..Here is the link for the High School Games being streamed online this week. Right now they list 24 different games.
http://gahighschoolsports.net/viewforum.php?f=46
Go THOMSON BULLDOGS!
Clayco teams rep
November 30th, 2012
11:54 pm
Love joy final four Colquitt we looking for you but first north cobb